MELVILLE, N.Y., March 5, 2012 / 3BL Media/ PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, has once again been named to Fortune's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies." For 2012, Henry Schein earned the highest ranking in its industry, "Wholesalers: Health Care." The Company repeated its first-place ranking from 2011 in the categories of Social Responsibility and Global Competitiveness, and ranked first in the categories of Quality of Management, Quality of Products/Services and Long-Term Investment. Henry Schein ranked second among other industry companies in the four remaining categories (Innovation, People Management, Use of Corporate Assets and Financial Soundness).

"We are very pleased to have been ranked first in our industry overall in Fortune's 2012 list of the 'World's Most Admired Companies'," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. "Our first-place ranking again in the categories of Social Responsibility and Global Competitiveness continues to demonstrate that a company truly can 'do well by doing good,' and that an active commitment to corporate social responsibility is good business. Additionally, we were gratified that the survey recognized the strength of our global management; the quality of the products and services that we and our supplier partners provide to our customers; and the steady and predictable return that we have delivered to our investors for many years."

Henry Schein's commitment to social responsibility has grown and strengthened as the Company has expanded internationally. Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global corporate social responsibility program, helps increase access to care for underserved populations globally through three focus areas: wellness, prevention, and treatment; emergency preparedness and relief; and health care capacity building.

Henry Schein's global competitiveness is underscored by its continued international expansion. The Company's first international operations were established in 1990 in Europe. Today Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 24 countries around the world, with International Group sales representing 35 percent of Henry Schein's total sales.

The quality of the Company's management is exemplified by Henry Schein's 11-person Executive Management Committee (EMC), including eight members who have been with the Company for 17 years or more. EMC members have been at Henry Schein for an average of more than 19 years.

The quality of the products and services offered is a result of the strong partnerships that Henry Schein has built with more than 3,000 suppliers around the world. Through its offering of 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items, Henry Schein is able to offer its nearly 775,000 customers virtually any product or service needed to operate a more efficient and successful practice.

The long-term investment merits of Henry Schein were highlighted earlier this year as the Company announced record sales of $8.5 billion for 2011. Since going public in 1995, Henry Schein's sales have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 18 percent, while earnings per share have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 17 percent.

About Henry Schein, Inc.Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index. The Company is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. Henry Schein's five businesses – Dental, Medical, Animal Health, International and Technology – serve nearly 775,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health practices, as well as government and other institutions. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items. Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs nearly 15,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 24 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $8.5 billion in 2011. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

3BL Media is the leading Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability news distribution and content marketing company. Our focus is on issues including sustainability, CSR, energy, education, philanthropy, community, reporting, and other social and environmental topics and communication.